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Vancouver Sun columnist Cam Cole and hockey writer Elliott Pap tell us what to look for in tonight's game as the San Jose Sharks visit the Vancouver Canucks.

VANCOUVER— The Vancouver Canucks and San Jose Sharks, especially the Sharks, both galloped off to fine starts in the lockout-shortened NHL season, but neither has been able to retain their momentum.

The Canucks were 8-2-2 after 12 games and have been an ordinary 3-4-2 since. The Sharks, meanwhile, were 7-0-0 before embarking on a wretched 3-6-4 swoon. Now the two teams find themselves in the middle of the tightly packed Western Conference as they meet tonight at Rogers Arena (7 p.m., Sportsnet Pacific, Team 1040).

The Canucks will make two changes from the lineup that lost 4-2 Sunday in Calgary with Cory Schneider starting in goal and Keith Ballard returning to the blue line after consecutive healthy scratches on the weekend. Ballard, often a resident in coach Alain Vigneault's doghouse, will take the spot of Andrew Alberts and skate alongside Cam Barker.

Ballard admitted he was “fairly frustrated” at being benched but also conceded his play had fallen off.

“I look back at my last couple of games and I didn't play well,” he told reporters following today's morning skate. “The situation I'm in, the role I'm in, it's up to me to make the best of it. I think before that I was playing real solid, but it's game-to-game and whether or not I like that, it doesn't matter.”

Vigneault was blunt in his assessment of Ballard's play.

“Keith is always matched up against third and fourth liners and the last couple of games, his performance had slipped,” explained the coach. “It shouldn't have been a surprise to him that he got sat out. He had been told three out of the last four games weren't what we wanted and we decided to make a change for the benefit of the team. Now he's getting another opportunity tonight.”

The Sharks, meanwhile, will have North Vancouver native Bracken Kearns in their lineup, The son of former Canucks stalwart defenceman Dennis Kearns, Bracken is a 31-year-old career minor-leaguer who has appeared in just five NHL games, all with Florida last season. He is scheduled to start on right wing on the Sharks' first line with Joe Thornton and Logan Couture.

“It's incredible,” said the shaggy-haired Kearns. “I got the call on Sunday and I didn't even know their schedule. So I checked it out and I kind of couldn't believe it. So I'm pretty pumped.”

Dennis Kearns is on vacation in California so won't be at the game, prompting Bracken to quip: “He'd probably be a nervous wreck so it's a good thing he's down there.”

Bracken said he will be supported live tonight by two brothers, one nephew and his father-in-law.

Antti Niemi is scheduled to start in goal for the Sharks. He's 9-4-4 with a 1.83 GAA and .934 save percentage.

ICE CHIPS: The Canucks confirmed today that top prospect Nicklas Jensen will join the AHL's Chicago Wolves on Friday. Jensen, who turns 20 on Wednesday, has completed his season in the Swedish Elite League with AIK Stockholm, which didn't make the playoffs … The Sharks, despite having Thornton, Patrick Marleau, Joe Pavelski and Couture in their lineup, have had trouble scoring goals and are tied with the Nashville Predators for the fewest number of goals in the league this season (47) … Referees for tonight's game are Brad Meier and Francois St. Laurent.

Keith Ballard returns to the Vancouver Canucks lineup tonight against the visiting San Jose Sharks. 'I look back at my last couple of games and I didn't play well, he told reporters following today's morning skate. 'The situation I'm in, the role I'm in, it's up to me to make the best of it.'

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